Shimla, Oct. 2 -- Change in criteria and pending scrutiny of the large number of applications have forced the Himachal Pradesh government to defer its flagship welfare scheme 'Mukhyamantri Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana '. The scheme was set to be launched on October 2.

At the Independence Day function in Hamirpur, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had announced that his government would launch the 'Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar' scheme for the welfare of 1.80 lakh economically vulnerable families in the state. Since then, the government has received 2.38 lakh applications.

The CM said under the scheme, the eligible families would receive a monthly financial assistance of Rs.1,500 and 300 units of free electricity.

Officials, famil...